Climate Change Festival returns to Birmingham with a twist

• Jun. 2 by Claire Latham (0)

The Festival

Climate change festival is returning to Birmingham this year on 5^th June, and will run until the 7^th June.  The festival aims to better inform the public about what we can do to help combat climate change.  

The festival will feature a solar powered green circus and road show, ethical and fair trade market, solar powered stage with music and a biodiversity zone.

Activities will be primarily based in Centenary Square, despite their being other events taking place within the same period, such as the BRMB Walkathon, which helps to reinforce walking as a sustainable method of travel for citizens. This event will take place across several distracts in the city.

Cllr Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

 “The Birmingham Climate Change Festival is a fun, entertaining and informative way for people to learn about what is being done to make Birmingham green for those that live, work and visit the city.

“Everyone had a role to play when it comes to cutting carbon emissions and making Birmingham green. I hope the wide variety of activities that we have organised will lead to a good turnout inspire people to do their bit.

The Recycling Pledge

The festival also wants to encourage people of the West Midlands to do more recycling. A big part of the festival this year is promoting this particular campaign ‘breast talk bra appeal’ this is a campaign which encourages women to recycle their bras. The campaign will run throughout the duration of the festival, and ‘Bra banks’ are conveniently situated across Birmingham city centre for women to dispose of their bras.  Bras will then be distributed to developing countries who don’t have access to these types of garments or who don’t have the money to afford them.  

Getting Involved

Sharon Lea, Strategic Director of Environment and Culture, said:

 “I urge all the women of the West Midlands, particularly Birmingham women to look into their underwear draws find all those bras out that they no longer want and recycle them, they will go to somebody that needs them and will also raise money for charity”  

Cllr Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

“The bra bank is a wonderful no-frills idea which has so many benefits – we avoid spending unwanted items to landfill and help people in developing countries. Combined this perfectly captures the spirit of sustainability.”

There are many organisations which support the event, who will be there offering advice and information to help reduce yor carbon footprint. The organisations will also be offering activities for the public to get involved with. Organisations include, Northfield Eco Centre, Friends of the Earth, Revolver T-Shirts, Traidcraft, Smurfit Kappa, Veolia, Real Nappies, RSPB, Family Housing, Birmingham Nature Service, Forestry Commission, Birmingham Organic gardens, along with others.

An annual update on Birmingham’s progress towards its goal of cutting carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2026 (when compared to 1990 baseline levels) is also expected to be announced during this three day event.

Visit here to see how the bra’s are going to be recycled.

Here is a step by step programme of the first day of the festival – 5th June – which also coinsides with World Enviroment Day.